New soon to be swift trainee!

According to a person on this site, because I am happy with Swift I must be a recruiter. I don't understand this logic? Someone, can you explain?

 

I like your signature about your attitude getting in your way.

 

So May 3rd I make 9 months with Swift transportation! That is also my late mothers birthday. Thank you once again for everyone's kind words, advice, tips, and "secrets" in the trucking real world. Currently I am on the border of Florida and Georgia. It's been a good ride thus far, sometimes scary, but I'm thankful I've made it thus far. I hope I'm blessed with many many years to come in this industry. I cannot complain about anything!

 

good luck and thank you for your kind words! Yes! I was definitely over steering! I look back at it all and laugh at my technique of turning the wheel this way and that that way ALOT! And I was just straight line backing! It isn't an issue now. Some stops at shippers or receivers are tight but I slow down and look at the situation and G.o.al. I goal nearly every back.98% of my back I do so even if it looks clear on my approach. Ever since my mentor took me to the trainer at the terminal that day it's been clicking.

Whwn I moved from my kenworth to the international I had to relearn how to back again, the turning radius on both trucks were hugely different. I practiced at a terminal before real world backing a little before I left. Glad I did.

Again good luck to you! Sorry to hear of your situation about losing everything. Just remember, takes things slow, double check and triple check to be safe, never rush, take your time and always do your job like you're going to come behind yourself and give it a grade afterwards. God willing I'll be here to cheer you on. After you do it awhile it's repetition. Never get lazy on yourself and you should be great! Do what you can to be prepared before academy. Read and study on here. Take everything with a grain of salt. Never give up your dream because you think it's too hard or what others say about it. Stay focused and you should succeed!

 

After academy, my experience, you'll only basically do a 45 degree back. Some places are tight but if you have this back down you should be good. Watch the trailer! I use to rush my backing while in school but now I take my time, it's gotten way better, it's been cut by a lot now and it also is "cleaner".

It is short, but a good mentor should be able to get you in shape to survive your backing or he/she will know of someone who can help. Your approach is the most important. If you have a good approach it's way easier. Don't be hard on yourself. Be patient with yourself. It's something new, it'll all come to you. The testers are just looking to see if you have the concept down and can at least control the vehicle without harming, yourself or anyone else. They aren't looking for protection. I watched a lot of videos on backing starting out in YouTube, it may help you as well.

I think everyone was scared starting out, anyone who says they weren't are either lying to you or their selves. Its also healthy to be nervous. Being nervous keeps you aware and thats what you need. Not so nervous its dangerous but you know what I mean. It's not always easy and you always have to be focused and paying attention. If you do that you can get what you want out of this field. The trainers are awesome at academy, I still text one of them, every so often. He checks in on me and keeps me going. I still also see others at the terminal when I'm there and when they bring new students to the Texas terminal. It's a good feeling to still be able to see them and touch bases with them every once in awhile. Last I checked I was class 1 they were on class 36 out of Corsicana. Unreal. Lol, the students had no idea how it was like for class one when we had to set up our own range. They were like no, it's not like that anymore. I laughed, I for sure have to go by there and see what it's like now.

Good luck and be safe out here. Keep in touch on your progress please!

 

Today marks my 9 month anniversary with Swift and in the trucking industry!!!!